The Ledger

10 percent: that is the median health care cost increase employers expect to face in 2027, the second year in a row benefits professionals have forecast a double digit jump, with weight loss drugs now the single biggest driver inside that number. The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans published its Health Care Costs Pulse Survey: 2027 Cost Trend on August 13, 2026, finding employers project a median 10 percent rise in health plan costs next year. Employers named catastrophic claims as the top driver, cited by 32 percent of respondents, followed by specialty and costly prescription drugs at 21 percent, chronic condition or mental health utilization at 14 percent and medical provider costs at 13 percent; within specialty drugs specifically, GLP-1 medications for weight loss and diabetes topped the list at 67 percent, ahead of autoimmune and inflammatory therapies at 54 percent, cancer drugs at 42 percent and cell and gene therapy at 21 percent. Carey Wooton, the Foundation’s associate vice president of education, said the finding marks the second consecutive year employers have projected a double digit increase, matching last year’s forecast for 2026. Confidence: High. The figures come directly from IFEBP’s own published survey. Source: Employers Project Another 10% Rise in Health Care Costs for 2027, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

321: that is how many jobs Baylor Scott & White Health Plan is cutting as it and sister insurer FirstCare walk away from Texas Medicaid managed care entirely, a wind down that becomes final in two weeks. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission confirmed in an August 7, 2026 provider notice that Baylor Scott & White and FirstCare Health Plans will stop accepting Texas Medicaid, STAR and Children’s Health Insurance Program claims after August 31, 2026, with the plans’ Medicaid managed care contracts formally ending September 1. Baylor Scott & White first announced the exit April 15, 2026, saying it was not selected in the state’s latest Medicaid procurement round for certain regions; the move affects roughly 125,000 Medicaid enrollees and, separately, about 100,000 people the insurer covers through individual ACA marketplace plans it is also leaving, alongside the 321 job cuts. Baylor Scott & White Health chief executive Pete McCanna said the system’s around the clock care model works better for populations with more stable coverage, such as Medicare Advantage and direct to employer plans, both of which the health plan will keep offering. Confidence: High on the contract end date and enrollee figures, drawn directly from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s own provider notice; Medium on the underlying rationale, which reflects the company’s own public statements. Sources: EVV Impacts: Baylor Scott & White and FirstCare MCOs End Participation in Texas Medicaid Managed Care, Texas Health and Human Services, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan to exit Medicaid, individual markets; cut 321 jobs, Becker’s Payer Issues.

873 million dollars: that is what a real estate investment trust is paying for eight senior living communities, the specific deal behind the “more in the pipeline” it teased investors just days earlier. American Healthcare REIT agreed August 10, 2026 to acquire eight Kensington Senior Living communities totaling 745 units across California, Maryland, New York and Virginia for approximately 873 million dollars, including the assumption of roughly 56.46 million dollars in existing agency debt. Kensington Senior Living will continue managing the properties after closing, which is expected after August 31, 2026, subject to healthcare regulatory approvals, licensure transfers and definitive management agreements. The acquisition follows American Healthcare REIT’s August 6, 2026 disclosure that it had completed 1.4 billion dollars in new investments so far this year with more than 800 million dollars of additional deals still in its pipeline expected to close by year end. Confidence: High. The deal terms come directly from American Healthcare REIT’s own SEC filing. Sources: American Healthcare REIT to Acquire 8 Kensington Senior Living Communities for $873M, Senior Housing News, American Healthcare REIT Inc, Form 8-K, StockTitan.

360 million dollars: that is what drug distributor Cardinal Health is paying for a diabetes supply mail order business and a urology supply company, a bet that shipping glucose monitors and catheters straight to patients’ homes beats selling through a pharmacy counter. Cardinal Health announced July 20, 2026 two definitive agreements to acquire the Diabetes Health business of AdaptHealth Corp for 235 million dollars and Strive Medical, an independent home medical supply company focused on urology, wound care, ostomy and incontinence products, for an implied 125 million dollars, together totaling approximately 360 million dollars in cash. AdaptHealth’s Diabetes Health unit ships continuous glucose monitors and other supplies direct to more than 225,000 patients a year through a centralized mail order model, while Strive Medical serves more than 20,000 patients annually; Cardinal Health said both deals should add to adjusted earnings per share within 12 months of closing. The transactions remain subject to regulatory approval and have not yet closed. Confidence: High. The deal terms come directly from Cardinal Health’s own press release. Source: Cardinal Health expands home care business with two tuck-in acquisitions, Cardinal Health newsroom.

THE DEAL SHEET

Target	Acquirer/Investor	Vertical	Value	Source
Kensington Senior Living portfolio (8 communities, 745 units)	American Healthcare REIT	Senior housing REIT	Approximately $873 million, including about $56.46 million in assumed debt; announced August 10, 2026, expected to close after August 31, 2026	American Healthcare REIT to Acquire 8 Kensington Senior Living Communities for $873M, Senior Housing News
AdaptHealth Diabetes Health business	Cardinal Health	Home medical supply, DME distribution	$235 million cash; announced July 20, 2026, pending regulatory approval	Cardinal Health expands home care business with two tuck-in acquisitions, Cardinal Health newsroom
Strive Medical	Cardinal Health	Home medical supply, urology and wound care	Implied $125 million cash; announced July 20, 2026, pending regulatory approval	Cardinal Health expands home care business with two tuck-in acquisitions, Cardinal Health newsroom
Two senior housing communities, Utah (212 assisted living and memory care units)	CareTrust REIT	Senior housing, assisted living and memory care	Approximately $65 million; announced August 1, 2026	CareTrust REIT Invests $291 Million In UK Care Homes And U.S. Senior Housing As 2026 Investments Reach $1.5 Billion, Pulse2

This run’s scan of PE Hub, Axios Pro Rata, FTC and DOJ merger actions and state transaction review dockets over the last 24 to 48 hours found no newly announced US healthcare transactions; deal flow is typically thin over the weekend. The four entries above are the most recent confirmed deals still working toward or awaiting close.